Say it ain’t so Killer Mike! The respected underground Atlanta lyricist with one of the most menacing monikers in hip-hop has decided to change his name to the less ominous Mike Bigga. But we shouldn’t be that shocked. He’s not the first MC to get his artist-formerly-known-as on. (Warning: No Puff Daddy/Diddy jokes were used during the making of this list. Really, it’s too easy.) —Keith Murphy
Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Name Change: Big Baby Jesus
Did the late Wu-Tang Clan’s mercurial wild-man switch up his MC tag to ring a more respectable, serious-minded tone? Or did he name himself after the son of God because he’s bat-shit crazy? We’re willing to bet the latter. Still, how can you not love the guy?
Peedi Crakk
Name Change: Peedi Peedi
We read that the North Philly spitter and former member of the Roc-A-Fella rhyme clique State Property changed his cooked-rock moniker because “crack was not good for endorsements.” No shit.
Uncle Murder
Name Change: Uncle M.
If an obscure Brooklyn rapper changes his name in a forest and no one is around to hear him, does he not make a sound?
C-Murder
Name Change: C Miller
When you are being convicted for a 2002 shooting death, it helps if your stage name does not denote, um, death.
B.o.B.
Name Change: Bobby Ray
We don’t care if this talented MC calls himself Judy Garland. Just hurry up and bring out the damn album already.